Productivity is the result of effective time management. As an employer, this can mean juggling different responsibilities and concerns everyday. However, no matter how good you are at multitasking, things can still get overwhelming.
Most of us are working from home these days and this gives us more leeway to figure out what set-up is best for our well-being. Hence, this gives us the chance to work on our planning and organising skills to handle our business better.
Effective time management can go a long way in terms of productivity and fulfillment. Thus, here are six easy techniques that you (and your remote workers) might find useful:
Have a To-Do List
I can’t stress this enough: Your to-do list will set the tone for your entire day. Writing down what you need to do keeps you organised. Furthermore, it will also prevent you from forgetting any important task amidst never-ending meetings and deadlines.
Drafting a task list won’t just help you prioritise. It will also help you keep a clear head, which is crucial when managing multiple teams.
Stop Multi-Tasking
Yes, you read that right. No matter how good you are at juggling different tasks, it’s still not a good idea to make a habit of it. Our brain takes 15 minutes to refocus. When we keep switching to different tasks, this can hurt our productivity.
Instead of doing many things simultaneously, try to take them a step at a time. Focus on one task first and then just move to the next when it’s done. This way, you’ll be less distracted and frazzled, allowing you to accomplish more.
Avoid Mixing Work With Chores
It can be tempting to load the dishwasher or do the laundry while waiting for your team members to log in to Zoom. Although it sounds productive, it doesn’t help you maintain boundaries between your work life and personal life.
During working hours, focus on, well, work. If you’re really bothered by a messy kitchen or the laundry piling up, write those chores down on your to-do list and address them later on after you clock out from work.
Clear boundaries allow you to keep your head clear and, most importantly, prevent you from burning out.
Stay Away From Social Media During Working Hours
Social media is a blackhole. One minute you’re scrolling away and the next thing you know, you already wasted 30 minutes watching a video of singing chipmunks. By all means, check and monitor your business page, but try to limit the time you spend on Facebook or Instagram.
If you can, try to put your phone away or turn off the notifications. Of course, the best option would be to find a dedicated social media manager who can manage your businesses’ social handles so you won’t have to. *wink* *wink*
Use the Get Things Done Method
Another way to maximise your remote work benefits is to follow the Get Things Done method. This includes taking note of everything that catches your attention, clarifying each task and what you’re doing to achieve it, organising the results, and eventually reviewing your system to ensure that you’re doing the right thing.
Find Out When You’re At Your Most Productive
Some workers are night owls. Others are early birds. If you find yourself with more energy in the morning, you can schedule important client and team meetings before lunch time. That way, you’ll be at your sharpest for your most important tasks.
Afterwards, you can go about doing routine work such as answering emails and checking in on your remote workers.
The secret to success is preparation. Meanwhile, the secret to effective preparation is good planning. Therefore, having an effective time management system can help you get ahead no matter how packed your schedule is.
And if you’re in need of extra hands, we’ve got your back. Remote Staff has been helping Australian SMEs and entrepreneurs like you find the best remote workers from the Philippines for more than a decade already. Whether you’re looking for a virtual assistant to help you with your schedule or a social media manager to take care of your social accounts, we’ve got just the person for you.
Call us today or schedule a call back and let’s get started.
Serena has been working remotely and writing content for the better part of the last decade. To date, she's written for Pepper.ph and Mabuhay Magazine, among others, and has churned out more than a thousand articles on everything from The Basics of Stock Market Investing to How to Make Milk Tea-Flavored Taho at home. Hermits, aspiring hermits, and non-hermits with interesting project propositions may email her at serena.estrella10@gmail.com.
